Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders · North Carolina

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in North Carolina

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $39,030 —5.6% below the national median of $41,330. That ranks NC #26 of 34 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$39,030
Median hourly
$18.77
Entry level (P10)
$35,420
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$56,380
90th percentile
Employment
420
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-5.6%
U.S. $41,330

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$35,420
$37,270
$39,030
$41,450
$35,420$39,030$56,380
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $39,030.

Employment is 1.93× as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders

All 34 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Nebraska$68,170$32.78601.24
2Iowa$62,520$30.062904.26
3Indiana$55,730$26.79500.35
4Missouri$53,940$25.942001.50
5New Jersey$51,460$24.741000.53
6Washington$50,870$24.46600.39
7Illinois$49,200$23.66600.23
8Idaho$48,360$23.25902.42
9Ohio$48,160$23.152400.97
10Wisconsin$47,060$22.621000.76

Related occupations in North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

Frequently asked questions

How much do cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in North Carolina is $39,030, or $18.77 per hour. That is 5.6% below the national median of $41,330.

What is the entry-level cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders salary in North Carolina?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,420 per year ($17.03/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,270.

How many people work as cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in North Carolina?

About 420 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders?

North Carolina ranks #26 of 34 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.93x as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders the most?

Nebraska has the highest median wage at $68,170 per year, followed by Iowa ($62,520) and Indiana ($55,730).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes